Emergency Response Teams Continue to Help Hurricane Dorian Affected

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HHRD Work In The Region: HHRD launched its “Bahamas Relief Fund” immediately following the devastating September 1st hurricane to provide emergency relief to the people of the Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands. Over the past four months a total of three Emergency Response Teams (ERTs), with HHRD representatives from the USA, were sent to help with needs assessment and recuperation efforts.

Our ERTs teams began their efforts by gathering essentials such as bottled water, ice, and cots to be used as beds for Hurricane Dorian affected families seeking shelter at Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center in Nassau, Bahamas.

Since then, HHRD’s In Kind Gifts Program has sent a total of four 40-foot containers filled with food, clothing, hygiene kits, and medical supplies to Freeport for distribution. Donors from Florida, Arizona and Utah participated in our In-Kind drives to ensure this happened. Families are hoping to regain a sense of normalcy as they share their struggle with HHRD team members.

Helping Hand USA Team is immensely blessed to have been tirelessly assisted by local volunteers, especially Imam Faisal AbdurRahmaan Hepburn of Jamaat-UL-Islaam of the Commonwealth of Bahamas.

Photo Credit: Gonzalo Gaudenzi/AP Photo

Situation on The Ground: Hurricane Dorian struck the Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands as a category 5 with wind gusts up to 220 miles per hour and claiming the lives of 67 while displacing over 29,000 people. This slow-moving storm brought deadly wave surges, high winds, and torrential rains for two days battering the islands. The estimated damage to the infrastructure and island is $3.4 billion with a long road to recovery ahead.

Shamkia Miller, a single mother of six, is one of the many who continues to struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. “Please help us; a lot of us still need assistance,” shares Miller who lost most of her belongings including her only source of income: her taxi. Helping Hand for Relief and Development’s (HHRD) Emergency Response Team (ERT) has provided food, clothing, and a gas stove for her to take care of her family.

Our teams are taking their time listening to and visiting the many families who have opened their homes to help fellow neighbors. HHRD’s team delivered food items to Mrs. Knowles at her “Home Away From Home” shelter for the homeless where 100 elderly people have sought safety. They welcomed these supplies and thanked the donors for this blessing.

The road to recovery is long however, with your continued support the people of the Bahamas can have hope of a brighter future. Please continue to pray for the people affected by this Hurricane.

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